This Formby funeral directors has been in business for almost 200 years.

Formby-based family firm, Dean Brothers, set up in 1827 when Ellis Dean, a wheelwright by trade, began making coffins and supporting with funeral arrangements at the church situated in the then small village.

His son William later moved the business, initially known as Dean’s, to its current location at Gores Lane and the firm traded as a builders and funeral directors. Then William’s sons, Ellis and William, formed Dean Brothers with the firm officially registered in 1946.

Iain says: “In 1827 there were probably only between 200 and 500 people living in Formby, so probably no more than one funeral a month at that time.

“It is a big deal that we have reached our 190th anniversary, because I think there is only one other independent funeral directors in this country that is older. There will be other firms of funeral directors that are older, but they have been taken over by big companies. And I would have thought we are the longest surviving business in Formby – that must be a foregone conclusion!”

Of the family dynamics he says: “We don’t always get on – does anyone with their family? – but we’ve all got our own roles and it works well. And it does help if you are working with people you’ve known all your life.”

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Iain, who is also a qualified graphic and web designer and photographer and has done other jobs, has been with Dean Brothers since 1994 and MD since 2011.

And he reveals: “It’s not what I intended to do but it’s very rewarding. We are there for people at a time when they haven’t got anyone. We get a lot of feedback, and people are very appreciative.

“We are not churning funerals out – every one is unique. We may sit with people for two hours or more as we go through the arrangements with them. In terms of complexity, funerals are becoming what weddings are, but instead of six months we have got perhaps six days or two weeks to organise one.”

(Image: handout)

It’s not a job for everyone...

Explaining what kind of person would be suited to working in the funeral industry, Iain says: “You need to be very, very caring about people’s needs.

"You must be patient, super-efficient, have great empathy and be a people person. People do confide in us and you get a lot of family disputes and disagreements. We basically arranged one funeral twice because the two sides of the familiy wouldn’t speak to each other. And two sons disagreed so greatly one said he would turn up at the crematorium with a shotgun!”

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But Iain stresses: “The vast majority of people are really nice, and they really appreciate the lengths you go to.”

Requested funeral songs – and yes, these have included Disco Inferno...

For so many people it is extremely important that the right song, or songs, are played at the funeral of a family member or friend.

Iain says: “There’s a relatively new song that I predicted people would want played at funerals – it’s Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran (it includes the line “You were an angel in the shape of my mum”, and was actually inspired by his grandmother) while other popular ones have included Angels by Robbie Williams, Candle In the Wind by Elton John and My Way by Frank Sinatra.

And the most requested one over the years has been Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli.

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“I always say I would have Queen – Who Wants To Live Forever? And people would struggle to shock me with song choices, because we’ve had songs like Disco Inferno (by The Trammps and including the line Burn baby burn, Disco Inferno).

"I say to families, if a song has got a personal meaning to you then that makes it completely fine. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life is another song people want – the clean version is more popular than the explicit one!”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Favourite things placed in coffins...

While many people like their much-missed loved ones to be dressed in particular clothes, Iain explains that family members also often ask for specific, meaningful objects to be placed in their coffins.

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He says: “There are certain issues in a crematorium, but you can put anything you like in a coffin for a burial, and we’ve had all kinds – including unopened bottles of whiskey, someone’s favourite hat or cap and a few rolled-up ciggies put in the deceased’s top pocket.”

The very worst of times...

Funerals are, inevitably, sad and difficult occasions, but Iain stresses: “Organising funerals for babies and children, and for people you know, are the hardest ones. It can obviously be very distressing when a death has been completely unexpected.”

Iain doesn’t have to think for too long when asked what is the worst thing that could happen to funeral directors.

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He explains: “Your worst nightmare is taking the wrong person to the crematorium. It’s never happened to us, but I know others it’s happened to.”

(Image: handout)

And finally...

Even if it’s still a taboo subject for some, many people are undoubtedly fascinated by the funeral industry – and those who work in it.

Iain says: “People often think it’s a dark industry, but it’s a lot more human than they might think. And you need to have a good sense of humour as well as a humane personality to work within it.

“My partner is a police officer and we always get asked about our work when we meet people at dinner parties or in the pub. Some people won’t want to come near when they find out what you do, but others will want to sit next to you and ask you loads of questions – there’s no middle ground.”